First Ladies

13-1. Eleanor Roosevelt’s First Birthday without Franklin.

Charming T.L.S. of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Val-Kill Cottages, Hyde Park, Dutchess County, N.Y.,”  Oct. 14, 1945, 6 x 7. To Julia A. Parker, Hyde Park, with postman’s pencil address correction to  Baltimore. “It was very kind of you to write me a note on my birthday and I am deeply touched  by all you say. I hope surely to see you when we are both in Hyde Park....” V.F. • Envelope,  postmarked Poughkeepsie. Unusual application of “Anna Eleanor Roosevelt” rubber-stamped  free-frank at far left. File and seam toning, else about V.G. $275-350 (2 pcs.) 

13-2. Eleanor Roosevelt: “I shall never be a pilot.”

T.L.S. of Eleanor Roosevelt on White House letterhead, Jan. 17, 1934, a year after start of  F.D.R.’s first term. To Miss Studer, with unlikely content: “I am afraid that I shall never be a  pilot and I regret I cannot write an article because of the fact that I write so much  professionally. I practically do not write anything except for very special interests.” Handling  toning, prominent original folds, stain at lower left tip, small rectangular label(?) outline at  blank upper right, crease at lower right corner, soiling of verso, still very satisfactory and  good. $475-675

13-3. Christmas Cakes for the Eisenhowers.

Three items: Mamie Eisenhower T.L.S. on White House letterhead, Dec. 20, 1958, to Mary  and Bob Littlejohn, thanking them for their gift of “little cakes... I know we will all enjoy  them...We do hope your Christmas will be a happy one....” Superb large, dark signature,  “Mamie Eisenhower,” below which she has penned, “The children will be with us for Xmas  dinner – we will miss Mother very much – M.” Very fine. • Envelope for above, “White House”  steel-engraved in gold. 3¢ White House postage stamp, tied with Gettysburg postmark. • Large  Valentine’s Day Hallmark card, inscribed by her in grey-black marker, “Dear Sgt. Manny and  Delores, Mrs. Eisenhower, 1975.” Smudge on “Dear,” perhaps by her hand, one postal edge  crease. All very fine, and a pleasing ensemble. $180-240 (3 pcs.) 

13-4. Eleanor Roosevelt on a Universal Dollar and World Peace.

T.L.S. of Eleanor Roosevelt, May 16, 1956, on her letterhead at East 62 St. (N.Y.), to Mr. Grice.  “In reply to your letter, I do not think it would be possible to have a universal dollar. Money is  based on the economy it represents and it would be impossible to get together a world  economy now. I believe that more Pen Friend Clubs and Hobby Exchanges would help bring  about understanding and peace in the world.” Bold signature in Waterman blue. Excellent and  highly suited for display. $425-500

13-5. The Summer of ‘68.

Black-on-white steel-engraved calling card of “Mrs. Richard Nixon,” with eight lines penned in  her hand, in water-blue on verso, “Just a note to say -- have a wonderful vacation. Bless you  for your campaign efforts! Our love, Pat.” To Mrs. Jack Stuart, Washington. Choice. • Mailed  in much larger envelope, addressed in Mrs. Nixon’s hand, postmarked N.Y., July 6(?), 1968,  flap engraved in blue “Mrs. Richard Nixon, 810 Fifth Ave....” Nixon won the White House that  Fall. Minor postal wear, else fine. A superior example, with desirable date. $140-180 (2 pcs.) 

13-6. Mrs. Fremont on a Parisian Lettersheet.

Unusual, never-used palest pink folding lettersheet with fine woodcut portrait “Jessie Fremont” in black at top. 4 x 6¼, lined in  apricot. Ornate blind-embossed, floral-ringed stationer’s crest, “...Paris.” Her husband John the celebrated - and controversial -  explorer, officer, and two-time Presidential nominee, who was saved from poverty by Jessie’s literary earnings. Some minor handling  discoloration and evidence, one old horizontal fold, else very good. Very scarce thus. $50-70 

13-7. White House Invitation from Pres. and Mrs. Taft to a former Confederate Officer.

Stiff cream card lavishly steel-engraved in black formal script: “The President and Mrs. Taft request the pleasure of the company of  Judge and Mrs. Howry at The White House on Mon. evening, June the nineteenth [1911] at nine o’clock. Dancing.” 4¾ x 5½. Eagle and  dates “1886-1911” in lustrous silver. Pleasing mellow patina. Excellent. • With envelope, “The White House” cornercard in silver.  Delivered by messenger, to Judge and Mrs. Charles B. Howry, 1728 I St. Engraver “Berry & Whitmore” blind-embossed on verso. Flap  removed, light handling evidence, else very good, and a strikingly attractive pair. Howry was a Lt. in 29th Miss. Infantry, personal  friend of Varina Howell Davis, and prominent in Mississippi politics. $110-150 (2 pcs.) 

13-8. White House Invitation from Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt.

Pair of stiff eggshell-white cards steel-engraved in black formal script: “Mrs. (Eleanor) Roosevelt requests the pleasure of the company  of Miss Howry...Feb. the thirteenth at four o’clock / Music.” 4 x 5. Eagle in rich gold. Excellent. • Smaller card, 2½ x 4, matching script,  “Please send response to The Social Secretary / The White House....” Light toning from envelope flaps, else very fine. • Envelope, “The  White House” cornercard in gold. Postmarked Feb. 6, 1941. To Miss Mary Howry, 3304 O St. Flap torn where opened, smudge on  “Mary,” very light postal soiling, else very good. Long active in Washington social circles, Mary appears in the “Blue Book” of the F.D.R.  inauguration. $90-120 (3 pcs.) 

13-9. White House Invitation from Mrs. Truman.

Stiff white card steel-engraved in black formal script: “Mrs. Truman / At Home / on Thurs. afternoon, May 20, 1948, at five o’clock.  Garden Party.” 3½ x 4½. Eagle in dark gold. Minor stray pen mark at blank upper right, perhaps of White House calligrapher working  briskly, else excellent. • With envelope, “The White House” cornercard in gold. Postmarked May 11, 1948. To Miss Mary Howry, 2459 P  St. N.W. Gently opened, and V.F. $55-75 (2 pcs.) 

13-10. White House Invitation from Pres. and Mrs. Eisenhower – for President of Viet Nam.

Significant trio of stiff cream white cards steel-engraved in black formal script: “The President and Mrs. Eisenhower request the  pleasure of the company of Miss Howry at dinner on Wed., May 8, 1957, at eight o’clock.” 4½ x 5½. Eagle in rich gold. Toning on blank  verso from accompanying newspaper clippings, else excellent. • Smaller card, 2½ x 4, matching script, “Please send response to The  Social Secretary / The White House....” Excellent. • Petit third card, “White Tie.” • Envelope, “The White House” cornercard in gold.  Delivered by messenger, to Miss Mary H. Howry, 1523 26th St. Toning from clippings, tear at front, else good plus. • Lengthy clipping  from society page of the following day’s Evening Star, Washington: “Viet Nam President Royally Entertained - One of the world’s most  stalwart freedom defenders was the guest of honor last night when Pres. and Mrs. Eisenhower entertained at an official state dinner for  Viet Nam’s visiting chief of state, Pres. Ngo Dinh Diem...The formal gold dining service of the White House was set out in deference to  the valient anti-Communist leader...Profuse arrangements of pink carnations and snap-dragons graced the table....” The star-studded  attendees included Vice Pres. and Mrs. Nixon, Sen. and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, J. Edgar Hoover, and an A-list of Viet Namese and  American V.I.P.s. - two members of the Howry family sandwiched between Bernard Gimbel and William Paley, with entertainment by  pianist Artur Rubinstein. • Second clipping, “Diem Assures Congress of Viet Nam Strength - Asiatic Leader Urges U.S. Continue  Economic Aid to Bolster Red Fight...His nation of 12 million now is enjoying comparative stability since the Indo-China War which  separated South from North Viet Nam....” Fine. Likely the first (and only) Presidential reception for a Vietnamese leader in America  (Diem had met with the State Dept. around 1950). His rule culminating in the timeless photograph of a self-immolating Buddhist  monk, Diem was assassinated in a 1963 coup. Notwithstanding Diem’s demise by American design, this invitation records the  cementing of the relationship between the two countries – and Viet Nam’s path to becoming one of the most conspicuous conflicts in  the world. Very rare. $175-250 (6 pcs.)

13-11. “A day long to be remembered.”

A.L.S. of Bess Truman, on engraved White House lettersheet, Washington, “Thursday,” n.d., 4½ x 7, 1½ pp. Signed “Bess T.” To close  friend Mrs. (Lisle) Smith, the noted Washington party host. “Harry and I enjoyed every minute with you and Mr. Smith Sunday. It  really was a most delightful day and H. has spoken about it several times since which is a most unusual thing for him to do. Thank you  loads, for giving us a day long to be remembered. Fondly....” Album mounting evidence on blank verso of p. 4, blind wrinkles and thin  spots visible on unwritten lower portion of concluding page of text where removed, else V.F. Bess Truman holograph letters as First  Lady are rather scarce. • With copy of interesting article about the Smiths from 1950 newspaper, “Smiths Just Refuse to Keep Up with  Joneses,” on their hosting the Trumans at their Vienna, Va. farm. $175-225 

13-12. On “Royal Irish Linen” - before Election Day.

A.L.S. of Francis F. Cleveland, on unusual lettersheet steel-engraved in silver, “Oak View, Washington, D.C.,” Oct. 21, 1888 - just days  from the election in which her husband was defeated by Harrison. 4¼ x 7, 2 full pp., on unusual cream laid, large pictorial watermark  “Royal Irish Linen / Marcus Ward.” To Mrs. Payne. “You were so good to let me benefit by the labor of your hands in the balsam  cutting. I don’t deserve such kindness as I have met with, because I was very obstinate myself about cutting balsam. The pillow is  delicious - but to nose - and eye and weary head. And I thank you heartily. I shall not forget the photographs, just now I have some in  the house, but as soon as the order is filled I will remember my promise. My Mother joins me in remembrance to Mr. Payne and  yourself.” Offset between p. 2 and blank p. 3, folded when ink still wet, trivial tear at top of gutter fold, minor tear at blank right edge,  else V.F. Highly attractive. $250-325

13-13. “No autographs of Mr. Coolidge’s....”

T.L.S. of Grace Coolidge, on red-on-grey stationery “Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, Road Forks, Northampton, Mass.,” Sept. 1, 1956, 5¾ x 7¼.  To Prentice Gudgen, Jr., Pittsburgh, Kans. “I regret that I have no autographs of Mr. Coolidge’s to send you....” Apparently trimmed  slightly to remove from a scrapbook, scotch tape at all four blank corners, letter once cut horizontally in half, perhaps when opened  with a knife to the recipient’s dismay, but almost perfectly mended with thin strip of tape on verso. Still a very satisfactory, affordable  example with autographic content, her signature very fine and unaffected, in dark blue ballpoint. $65-95 

13-14. “My role as the Vice President’s wife.”

T.L.S. of Barbara Bush, on pictorial stationery “The Vice President’s House,” Washington, May 21, 1982, 6¼ x 8½. To Mr. Good. With  postscript in her hand. “...I really enjoy our house and my role as the Vice President’s wife. I am President of the Senate Ladies, which  is a group that meets every Tues. and participates in activities to help charities in the Washington area. I also keep in close touch with  all our children and grandchildren. During the day I keep myself busy with different projects and attend events alone and with the Vice  Pres. I have enclosed an autographed picture of the Vice Pres. and myself” [not present]. Added in royal blue marker beneath her  signature, “I am working very hard to try to help wipe out illiteracy!” Few trivial soft creases at blank corners, else excellent and highly  attractive for display. $110-140

13-15. “I am just an old lady....”

A.L.S. of Edith K. Roosevelt, on notepaper elegantly steel-engraved in grey “Sagamore Hill,” May 13, 1945, 4 x 4¾, 2½ panels. To  flamboyant sportsman Harry D. Kirkover, The Hedges, Camden, S.C. “Our spring has been so cold and four or five weeks late...It was  good to hear that Lambert behaves so kindly. Perhaps I may (go) thro’ the grass and see another Southern Spring. I am just an old lady  of a Brer Rabbit...Mean times I do enjoy my grand & my great grandchildren, so that is all to the good.” Light postal creases at corners,  else about very fine. • With envelope, holograph free frank. Postmarked Oyster Bay. Torn at upper left where hastily opened, some  stains at free frank, else very good. Mrs. Roosevelt’s comments were certainly tailored to her correspondent: Considered the foremost  trap shooter and competitive marksman in America, and a championship tennis player and golfer, Kirkover helped bring the title  “Steeplechase Capitol of the World” to his South Carolina city, developing the finest such track in the country. He also bred dogs in  Camden; “his kennels of pointers and setters at ‘The Hedges’ were considered to be the finest in the U.S., dominating national  competition for years...”--carolinarealestateco.com. Kirkover’s property became a gathering place for his hundreds of famous friends,  including Buffalo Bill, Winston Churchill, Joseph Kennedy, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and many more; the Theodore Roosevelt  family was undoubtedly among them. With fascinating research. $300-375 (2 pcs.) 

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